romance

For centuries, writers have been transfixed by monster stories. The most common monsters are from the 20th Century films: Frankenstein’s Monster, Dracula, the Wolfman, King Kong. But the ancient greeks had Medusa and the Minotaur. The Nords marvelled at Fenrir and Jormungand. The Chinese spun tales of Zhulong and Juiwei Hu. Humans have always been fascinated by the terrible creatures lying around each corner and, perhaps more fascinatingly, the aspects of their humanity.

Even more of a marvel is the evolution of monsters and love stories. Often, monsters would steal young women and were seen as cruel antagonists. They even were commonly metaphors for female impurity. However, over time, the idea of monsters being romantic leads grew and has become a new trope in literature and cinema. One of the earliest, most popular examples of this is the iconic, classic tale of Beauty and The Beast.

While Beauty and The Beast is a leader in this romantic subgenre, other films such as Twilight, Warm Bodies, and The Shape of Water have also been modern staples of the “finding beauty in ugliness” love stories. Though only these few are mentioned, there are countless more tales expounding upon the topic. However, one might wonder, how does such an odd sub-genre come about?

Whether it be from the doldrums of the everyday or a deliberate dodging of the authorities which dog us in the aftermath of a mistake, the natural instinct to retreat and regroup is not only imperative but also innate. For it is in these acts of retirement that human beings can re-discover and re-affirm what truly drives them. Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead’s second feature, Spring, revolves around such a retreat, as their seemingly unremarkable protagonist, Evan (Lou Taylor Pucci), jets off to Italy in order leave behind what may be the worst turn of events his young life has even seen. Though through this withdrawal, Evan finds not only the girl who may be the love of his life, but also a newfound respect for the world around him. Arguably the greatest quarter-life crisis story conceived since Richard Linklater’s Before Sunrise, Benson & Moorehead’s second motion picture is a stirring, life-affirming work of idiosyncratic art.

When Joss Whedon isn’t finding new and even more horrific ways to kill off his most likeable characters, he’s finding ways to entangle them romantically: Buffy and Angel, Buffy and Spike, Wesley and Fred, Zoe and Wash (R.I.P.), Mal and Inara, Simon and Kaylee, Jayne and Vera….you get the picture.

Ergo, it’s not surprising that one day he might write a straight-up romance–with a preternatural twist, naturally, this IS Whedon we’re talking about: Thus, we have In Your Eyes. And Nerd Bastards has the first 3 minutes of the Brin Hill-directed film–you guessed it–after the jump: (more…)

As those of you in the Harry Potter fandom, or who own a computer, are probably quite aware: Author J.K. Rowling broke the internet about 10 days ago when she announced, in an interview conducted by Emma “Hermione Granger” Watson herself that she has regrets about pairing Hermione with Harry’s BFF, Ron Weasley.

Regardless of which side of the debate you are on, you can slow your roll: Here’s what Rowling actually said about the matter–in full context. (more…)

And I must admit they’re still underwhelming. I already aired my disappointment over how not very dead and decaying this zombie looks. Also how I fear this movie will be turned into more fodder for Twi-hards. These new images won’t change my mind.

Warm Bodies follows, “existentially-tormented zombie (Nicholas Hoult)named R that begins an unlikely friendship with the human girlfriend of one of his victims. The blossoming relationship starts a chain reaction that will transform him, his fellow zombies and maybe the whole lifeless world.”

I still have some hope this won’t be a complete bomb. I though Hoult was great in X-Men: First Class, and the film is being directed by Jonathan Levine who was responsible for 50/50 and The Wackness. Those are clearly not films for the tween crowd.

Either way, we won’t know for sure until Warm Bodies releases August 10th this year.

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